Posted: 12:38 pm EST February 11, 2011
Updated: 7:08 pm EST February 11, 2011
JACKSON TWP., Pa. -- Police said a shootout early Friday morning put a 10-year-old girl in the line of fire.
Just before 4:00 a.m., investigators said Jonathan Eisenhauer made several calls to 911 from his home on Kutztown Road in Jackson Township, Lebanon County, about two miles west of the border with Berks County.
Police said Eisenhauer told dispatchers he shot his wife, Andrea Eisenhauer, 33, and the family dog.
When troopers arrived at the Eisenhauer home, they said Jonathan Eisenhauer was at a second story window and opened fire on them with a rifle.
"One trooper was only visible to him," explained Lt. Craig Stine of the Pa. State Police. "That was where he immediately directed his initial shots. Other troopers came from another location that was undisclosed to him and then established a place where they could return fire."
No troopers were injured, but they said Jonathan Eisenhauer was shot in the shoulder during the exchange.
Still, police said Eisenhauer reappeared at the front door moments later, this time holding his 10-year-old daughter as a barrier between himself and police.
"[There was] some negotiation verbally between our officers and him and then he basically released his daughter, put his weapon down," said Stine.
Stine said Eisenhauer continued to put up a struggle.
"He was very combative even though he was wounded," Stine explained.
Once under arrest, Jonathan Eisenhauer was taken to Penn State Hershey Medical Center where he was last listed in serious condition.
Inside the house, police said they found the bodies of Andrea Eisenhauer and the family dog. Police said the 10-year-old girl is with family members.
The Lebanon County district attorney said Jonathan Eisenhauer will face charges of criminal homicide and a count of attempted homicide for each trooper in the line of fire.
"[Jonathan Eisenhauer's] had some history with us in the area," Stine said. "But nothing that would lead you think this would happen, this tragedy."
State police said their Reading-based major case team and the district attorney are investigating the apparent homicide and police-involved shooting.
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